We have Britain’s most hated name, we’re scared to introduce ourselves and even lie about what we’re called

She says:  “As a Chinese child with anglophile parents I’ve had a lot of grief for my surname, such as King Kwong and Ching Chong. Dad gave us Western names that are easier to pronounce. 

I’ve never really liked the name Karen and there is a curse around it.

They tend to be sensible and schoolmarmish – and sometimes that can be me. 

I speak up when someone needs to take a stand and I do take charge when leadership is required but in general I am fairly relaxed.

People tend to only notice 'bossy and opinionated' as opposed to 'forthright and experienced.'

Since the Black Lives Matters movement, Karen has become the moniker for hysterical white privileged women.

I get it – it is useful but I do get sick of people mocking my name.

Last month’s viral video of Amy Cooper, who went nuts at a black birdwatcher and called the police on him in Central Park, just because he asked her to put her dog on its lead does capture the sense of privilege.

Since the Black Lives Matters movement, Karen has become the moniker for hysterical white privileged women.

Karen Kwong

It made me feel really distressed and furious at her taking her white privilege out on the innocent birdwatcher and her poor dog. 

For her to be instantly described as a 'Karen' was upsetting but I also understood why. She personifies everything that the #Karen is trying to portray.

But the social media trend has changed how I live my life.

There is a leak in my flat and I’ve complained to the management company once – but I haven’t complained again in case I’m being 'too Karen' about it. I don’t want to be typecast as that complainer.

Unfortunately 'Karen' is a convenient description for everything wrong that white privileged middle class women do."

‘I’m worried I won’t get a job because of my name - I’m thinking about changing it’ 

Actress Karen Payne, 57 is married and has two children. She lives in Melksham, Wilts.

She says: “At first the memes and videos on TikTok were light-hearted and I saw the joke - but I don’t anymore. Like most of these things they get taken to the extreme.

Since lockdown it’s got out of hand. I saw a video of an awful woman screaming abuse like a mad person, captioned #karen. I was shocked by someone behaving in such an irrational way and was also confused why she was being called a 'Karen'. 

I am very concerned about the negative association with the name. I do worry it will stop me getting work as an actress as there will be some unconscious bias towards me. 

I don't want to be seen as one of the awful ones everyone has seen online shouting and screaming abuse at people.

I am seriously considering using my middle name Petra in the future. 

My family knows I’m not a racist or an overbearing woman who insists on getting her own way.

Although when I moan at them, they do tell me off, saying I am being 'a Karen.'

I do find it very frustrating. There really isn't anything you can do about it but I suppose ride the storm till the next thing comes along."

‘We all know those white privileged women - it’s good to have a name to call them out’

Writer Karen Edwards, 40, is in a relationship and lives in London.

She says: “I was born in the UK and have Sri Lankan heritage so I am a woman of colour.

That's why the association with white privilege is particularly bizarre for me when I see anything Karen-related.

I first became aware of 'being a Karen' when I watched an Australian video of an indigenous man being shouted at by his neighbours.

When he told her 'go home Karen', I didn’t think twice as I assumed it was the lady’s name.

Then I realised what 'a Karen' represented. At first I felt guilty that my name was associated with behaviour that wasn’t very kind or decent.

Then I realised by giving it a ‘name’, those who were using their privilege to act horribly without consequence, are being called out on it.

I have experienced racism and have always spoken out against it. It is weird to hear my name used so regularly to describe pretty unsavoury people - but is a good thing that we finally have a label for the behaviour of privileged white women. We all know those women.

I don't mind 'Karen' being used in this way. As long as us Karens don’t fall into the stereotype of our name, then it’s helping others identify or even call out misplaced privilege

I’m not going to worry about the negative connotations either. I’ve never been a big complainer or someone who moans.”